(CNN) – Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office said Monday that any potentially-damaging information she had on Newt Gingrich was all open to the public, defending earlier comments that she had "a thousand pages" of investigative material on Gingrich during his time as House speaker.

"Leader Pelosi was clearly referring to the extensive amount of information that is in the public record, including the comprehensive committee report with which the public may not be fully aware," said Nadeam Elshami, a Pelosi spokesman, in a statement.
Earlier Monday, Pelosi suggested in an interview she would talk in detail at some point about the House ethics committee's investigation of Gingrich in the late 1990s.

In the interview with the left-leaning news website Talking Points Memo, Pelosi was pressed to talk about her thoughts on the Republican presidential candidate's recent rise in the polls. While the House Democratic Leader demurred, she signaled she'd have more to say later.

"One of these days we'll have a conversation about Newt Gingrich," Pelosi told TPM. "I know a lot about him. I served on the investigative committee that investigated him, four of us locked in a room in an undisclosed location for a year. A thousand pages of his stuff."

According to the TPM story, Pelosi "joked" the information would come out "when the time's right."

After hearing about the interview, Gingrich told reporters in New York that he considered Pelosi's comments "an early Christmas gift" and said any information the Democratic Leader might release on the ethics probe would itself be a violation of House ethics rules.

"That is a fundamental violation of the rules of the House and I would hope members would immediately file charges against her the second she does it," Gingrich said. If Pelosi did talk publicly about any private deliberations of the inquiry, Gingrich urged members of the House to file a complaint against her.

At his press conference on Monday, former Speaker Gingrich also noted that 83 charges the House committee investigated were found to be false.

But in 1997 Gingrich became the only speaker to be reprimanded by the House, for giving false information about using tax deductible funds for political purposes to the ethics committee. He was also ordered to pay $300,000 to cover the cost of the panel's inquiry.

soundoff(200 Responses)

Nancy should speak now of forever hold her peace. It's immoral for an elected official to time the release of damaging political information to throw an election. Speak now Ms. Speaker or shut-up.

December 6, 2011 01:13 pm at 1:13 pm |

Lee

I like how Newt does not make excuses for his 1000 pages of ethics violations, but rather concerns himself with the rules of making that public knowledge. Sort of a "If you tell America the truth about my past, I will sue you!"

December 6, 2011 01:13 pm at 1:13 pm |

Occupied

So now the Republicans want the Master of DC Gridlock (aka "lobbyist Newt Gingrich") to be their candidate? I'm starting to think they've written off 2012 completely.

December 6, 2011 01:16 pm at 1:16 pm |

Buster Bloodvessel

The fear is hilarious; the GOP voters have been raised on tales of Pelosi eating little conservative babies until they tremble at her name. My favorite is the ten-million-strong ACORN storm troopers she has hidden away in San Francisco.

December 6, 2011 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Mindie from Indie

@Berceuse (who stated) "I don't like Gingrich, but I find the Democrat Party's tactics in this election repulsive. They have made it clear they will engage in whatever level of deceit, manipulation, demagoguery, obstruction, slander and – given their support for the intolerant, didactic "occupy" movement – even violence necessary to retain power....tactics straight out of the fascist handbook."

What you are describing is the REPUBLICAN Party of No Family Values.

I suspect you watch fake entertainment like it's the freaking bible or something because you are getting false information buddy.

December 6, 2011 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |

deb0155

That's the pot calling the kettle black! Ms. "Insider Trading" and "You have the pass the Bill to see what's in it!" has nothing to point the finger at – she's a serial liar, fraud, corporate hag, and treasonous! I would love to see that woman put behind bars!

December 6, 2011 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

Ferret out the B.S.

It is truly amazing how forgetful the voting public is especially when it's Republicans. They forgot about ethics violations, bribes, corruption, investigations on Democrats because they won an election, stealing an election, slander and on and on. Please let go with everything you've got Nancy and let the chips fall where they may.

December 6, 2011 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

deb0155

Sorry – I meant to say "You have to pass the Bill to see what's in it" Nancy Pelosi.

December 6, 2011 01:23 pm at 1:23 pm |

Kat

Not sure that Ethics and Politicians should be in the same sentence. If we want someone that has NEVER EVER done a wrong thing in his or her life – certainly we aren't going to find it in Washington, but not sure you will find it on the planet either – get over it – let's move on!

December 6, 2011 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |

Ward Cleaver

It's on public record that Newt admitted to be a lying and cheating politician. He was reprimanded with a hefty fine – but it is unclear if his own moiney actually paid the fine. He was outed by his own freaking party and he thinks he'll be the nomine?

But it really doesn't matter because you GOP clowns have given Obama his 2nd term.

December 6, 2011 01:25 pm at 1:25 pm |

Mindie from Indie

Blame yourself Newt – blame yourself.

December 6, 2011 01:27 pm at 1:27 pm |

zenduane

Pelosi is far more clever than Newt. This Christmas preset is a lump of coal. She is intentionally prodding the news media to start rummaging their publicly available information to crucify Gingrich. Almost nothing from the closed door hearings is not available to the media through public disclosure or FOIA. Happy Holidays to Newt and his supporters.

December 6, 2011 01:28 pm at 1:28 pm |

max

What's so wrong with leaving your bed ridden wife for a staffer and collecting millions for lobbying ?? it's all legal ... his face makes me want to vomit

December 6, 2011 01:32 pm at 1:32 pm |

Cb1knobi

I am not sure what people are seeing in Gingrich that I am not. I'm neither a Democrat or Republican. I'm just a guy that believes in having my house in order before I go to your house and tell you that it's dirty. I tend to vote for the candidate that has the best domestic agenda. I am not sure why staunch Republicans can't see and refuse to believe that Romney has the best chance at beating Obama.

December 6, 2011 01:33 pm at 1:33 pm |

Gordo

If Newt has nothing to be ashamed of he should demand everything be released.

December 6, 2011 01:35 pm at 1:35 pm |

Anonymous

He says he's happy...but I can smell the fear.

December 6, 2011 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

Brainscape

Gingrich's past is surfacing bit by bit just like that of the other presidential candidates. Many people do no even know where most have spent their careers so far. This is an infographic that allows a closer look http://bit.ly/tl6D3m

December 6, 2011 01:42 pm at 1:42 pm |

Jake

if Pelosi doesn't, there are plenty of other people who will!

December 6, 2011 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |

sean

and in his arrogant hubris he is calling foul. Newt, you are a fat narcissistic pig who will never be President. walk away.

December 6, 2011 01:49 pm at 1:49 pm |

Kimo

I'm just completely frustrated that the GOP can't come up with a candidate who is intelligent and ethical and who has a sense of perspective. All we get are self-aggrandizing windbags like Newt (and Trump for a minute or two) and space cadets like Bachmann and Perry. Ron Paul has some good ideas but his thinking is stuck in the19th century. The only candidate who seems smart, practical and ethical is Huntsman and he can't get conservatives to give him the time of day. I mostly blame the media for making politics a reality tv show where candidates are like the Kardashians.

December 6, 2011 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

Jim

What does Pelosi have on Gingrich? Nothing substantive, that's certain. She can't attack him on policy so she has to go after his character. I'm no Newt fan, but I'm tired of candidates getting dragged through the mud with character assassinations. Clinton smoked pot and was a prolific adulterer, yet he was elected President twice. Bush had alcohol problems and a DUI, and Laura Bush killed a schoolmate back in the day, yet he was elected twice. Obama used cocaine, yet he was elected. I don't see how any of the (known or suspected) baggage on any of the existing candidates would disqualify them as unfit for the job, considering the last three people we hired were just as bad and in some cases, worse.

December 6, 2011 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |

Duke1CA

Anyone who can't see what's wrong with what Pelosi is doing here is seriously morally-challenged. She is no better than a common blackmailing extortionist! This election cycle is going to be the ugliest in anyone's lifetime because the Left is absolutely desperate to keep power and the the Right is increasingly frustrated with "business as usual in Washington". I am rooting for Newt because he is a true reformer and one of the smartest people that Washington has seen (at least in terms of public policy). I have detected a change in Newt in which he is much more humble and self-controlled than he used to be. I understand that he has had a religious awakening and returned to the Catholic Church. The Dem's will do everything they can to tear this man down personally because they can't answer him on the issues.

December 6, 2011 01:54 pm at 1:54 pm |

Really?

Seriously? Isn't this the same Pelosi that is under investigation by the House Ethics panel RIGHT NOW?

December 6, 2011 01:55 pm at 1:55 pm |

Anonymous

It will be nice to see democrats take newt on. They think they can play dirty with the chicago tug style politics? Well newt will drain the swamp! We know he is a roguish political scoundrel but he suits the climate in washington. we need this political Patton to go in and get things done. Its hardball time liberals- lets see if obama is ready for the big league. Newt 2012!

December 6, 2011 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |

KM

Looks like the typical Democratic response now. As Gingrich solidifies his position as front runner the dirt mongerers will now come out of the wood work and commence their assault. How about Pelosi coming clean about her insider trading while she goes about her task of attempting to sling mud on Newt. I think anyone with an ounce of sense knows that the dirt she is preparing to dish is all remnants of their attempt to discredit him when he was House Speaker. I suspect that there will be little, if any, substance to what she reveals. It's all about stirring up controversy, the facts are really not that important.....